Evan Silva

Offseason Low Down

NFC Team Needs

Offensive line: Atlanta still hasn't recovered from reaching for Sam Baker in the first round of the 2008 draft. He hasn't panned out at left tackle, and right guard was another trouble spot all last season. The Falcons are aware of their offensive line deficiencies. Although neither player was signed, the team scheduled free agent visits with Demetress Bell and Marcus McNeill.

Defensive end: The Falcons are bringing back all of the same ends that combined to rank 22nd in the league in sacks. Atlanta must get more pressure off the edge. Perhaps another year in the system will kickstart left end Ray Edwards, but he should face competition for his job.

Running back: Tailback is rarely thought of as a weakness in Atlanta based on Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers' big-name appeal. Rodgers is just a scatback, though, and Turner's on-field performance is eroding rapidly at age 30. He limits the offense with an inability to play on passing downs. Atlanta has shown interest in Virginia Tech's David Wilson as a second-round possibility.

Defensive end:Charles Johnson has one end spot on lockdown, but the Panthers can't count on Greg Hardy's mental fragility, and there is little to no depth behind them. North Carolina's Quinton Coples and South Carolina's Melvin Ingram would both be appealing options with the No. 9 pick.

Defensive tackle: The Panthers spent two third-round picks on defensive tackles last year, but Terrell McClain and Sione Fua did little to suggest they're long-term answers at the position. Coples or Ingram could help here because they rush from the interior on passing downs.

New Orleans Saints

Defensive end: Outgoing defensive boss Gregg Williams blitzed more than any coach in the league last season, but it resulted in only 37 sacks in 18 games, including the playoffs. The Saints need a pressure player to complement and spell weak-side defensive end Will Smith.

Center:Brian De La Puente proved an upgrade after Olin Kreutz's in-season retirement a year ago, but that wasn't saying much. De La Puente is undersized, lacks pop as a run blocker, and would ideally be a backup. The Saints will likely use a late-round pick on a developmental center.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Running back:LeGarrette Blount's inability to play in passing situations held the Bucs' offense hostage for much of last season, and they need a more versatile back to push Blount into a situational early-down thumper role. Trent Richardson would be the ideal pick at No. 5 overall.

Defensive tackle: The Bucs are unable to stop the run, and Greg Schiano will take that more seriously than former coach Raheem Morris. Gerald McCoy is solidly a part of Schiano's long-term plans, but Brian Price and Roy Miller should consider themselves on notice.

Linebacker: Corner and safety are also positions that could use upgrades in Tampa, but a sure-tackling linebacker is needed to replace old weak-side starter Geno Hayes, who remains unsigned. Nebraska's Lavonte David could fix that problem at the price of a second-round pick.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

Offensive line:Kevin Kolb's skittish pocket presence mixes poorly with a line that can't protect him. The Cards think highly of Stanford right guard David DeCastro. If DeCastro goes off the board before the 13th pick, versatile Cordy Glenn of Georgia would be a fine fallback target.

Wide receiver:Larry Fitzgerald is a true No. 1 and Early Doucet has a physical presence in the slot, but Arizona lacks an outside receiver capable of capitalizing on man coverage. Recent buzz has the Cardinals perhaps considering Notre Dame's Michael Floyd if he makes it to No. 13.

Outside linebacker:O'Brien Schofield, 25, and Sam Acho, 23, are promising young pass rushers, but the Cardinals have practice-squad types behind them on the depth chart. Arizona will almost certainly add talent at outside 'backer, even if it's in the middle to later rounds of the draft.

San Francisco 49ers

Guard:Chilo Rachal began last year as the Niners' starting right guard, but was quickly benched for Adam Snyder. Snyder is gone to the division-rival Cardinals, and Rachal remains unsigned in free agency. San Francisco runs a power-blocking scheme and is in the market for a mauler.

Wide receiver: The receiver depth chart is thick for 2012, but Ted Ginn and Randy Moss are working on one-year deals. Mario Manningham and Michael Crabtree are signed only through the following season. If he sees good draft-day value at wideout, GM Trent Baalke will pounce.

Defensive line: The 49ers return all three D-Line starters, but nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga and right end Justin Smith are both on the wrong side of 30. Improved up-front depth couldn't hurt a team that prides itself on winning in the trenches. San Francisco figures to address it in the late rounds.

Seattle Seahawks

Linebacker: The Seahawks wouldn't overpay to retain middle linebacker David Hawthorne. Barrett Ruud is no more than a short-term fix, and a weak one at that. With Leroy Hill still toiling in free agency, Seattle has room to add two starting linebackers through the draft.

Defensive end: Seattle's only legit edge rusher is Chris Clemons, and he's entering a contract year at age 31. Left end Red Bryant comes off the field on most passing downs. It would be nice for the Seahawks to be able to replace him in those situations with a pressure-causing rusher.

Cornerback:Brandon Browner flashed big-play ability after the Seahawks signed him away from the CFL, but he's prone to blown coverages and was the NFC's most penalized cornerback. He may not be long for a starting job. Don't be shocked if Seattle drafts a corner with the 12th pick.

St. Louis Rams

Wide receiver: The Rams haven't had a mainstay receiver with downfield separation skills since Torry Holt's knees gave out following the 2008 season. St. Louis is also pursuing run-after-catch ability in its next go-to target. Most mock drafts have them selecting Justin Blackmon at No. 6.

Offensive line: Right tackle Jason Smith has been a colossal bust as the former second pick in the draft, and left tackle Rodger Saffold is coming off a miserable season. Left guard is wide open. The Rams have five picks in the top 100. Expect two to be used on offensive linemen.

Linebacker: The Rams have James Laurinaitis in the middle, and then a cast of no-names on the outside. Jo-Lonn Dunbar signed a small deal in free agency, but is better suited as a special teamer. On a bad Rams roster, outside corner and safety help would additionally be welcomed.

The 2012 NFL draft is under two weeks away. Here's a look at the top three need positions for each team in the National Football Conference:

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

Outside linebacker: Dallas placed the franchise tag on Anthony Spencer, but he's underwhelmed as a pass rusher and is only under control through 2012. The Cowboys need to start thinking about an upgrade. They've met with Courtney Upshaw (Alabama) and Ronnell Lewis (Oklahoma).

Offensive line: The Cowboys signed Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau as projected starting guards, but Bernadeau couldn't get on the field for Carolina last year and Livings has long been a replacement-level blocker. Creating competition for error-prone center Phil Costa is another must.

Running back:DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones form a good-looking two-deep on paper, but Murray hasn't stayed out of the trainers room since high school and Jones isn't exactly durable himself. A big, versatile back with pass-protection skills would be a welcomed addition in Dallas.

New York Giants

Running back:D.J. Ware can pick up the blitz and 2011 seventh-round pick Da'Rel Scott flashed playmaking ability last preseason, but the Giants can't feel comfortable with their backfield behind Ahmad Bradshaw. Look for New York to invest an early- to mid-round pick on a power runner.

Tight end: Incumbents Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum likely won't be ready for the start of the season after tearing ACLs in Super Bowl XLVI. Signed to a one-year deal in March, Martellus Bennett has been primarily a blocker in the NFL and may be no more than a short-term fix.

Outside linebacker: The Eagles shored up middle linebacker in the DeMeco Ryans trade, but they still lack outside 'backers with quality range and sure-tackling ability. Philly doesn't traditionally place marquee value on linebackers, so it may wait for the middle rounds to draft one.

Defensive back:Asante Samuel will be traded or cut before the draft. The Eagles used a second-round pick on safety Jaiquawn Jarrett last year, but he struggled mightily. Philadelphia may use multiple picks on defensive backs, targeting press-man corners and physical strong-safety types.

Offensive line: Left tackle Jason Peters (Achilles') won't be playing ball in 2012, and Demetress Bell's "five-year, $35 million contract" is really only for one season and $3.25 million. The Eagles have a nice core group on the interior, but tackle is a big long-term concern in Philadelphia.

Inside linebacker: The Redskins still figure to re-sign London Fletcher at some point, but their lack of urgency to do so suggests he's not part of the organization's long-term plans. Realistically, Fletcher can't be going on age 37. Washington has no depth at inside linebacker.

Defensive end: The Bears reluctantly re-signed Israel Idonije, who they view as more of a two-down run defender with special teams value. An explosive bookend for Julius Peppers would make Chicago's defense much more dangerous. They've flirted with West Virginia's Bruce Irvin.

Wide receiver:Brandon Marshall gives Chicago the No. 1 receiver it has lacked for decades, but Marshall is more of a physical, possession threat than vertical game changer. While Earl Bennett is solid in the slot, the Bears could use a field stretcher who creates separation downfield.

Offensive line: Chicago seems to be much higher on the talent in its front five than recent on-field production indicates. No team has allowed more sacks over the past two seasons. At the very least, the Bears need to use late-round picks on tackle and guard prospects with upside.

Detroit Lions

Cornerback: The Lions' lone surefire starter is Chris Houston, whose shoulder injuries have become chronic and is only signed through 2012. Aaron Berry and Alphonso Smith would be sub-package corners in a good defense. Detroit will address this position early in the draft.

Offensive tackle: The Lions should consider themselves lucky to have gotten so many years out of left tackle Jeff Backus, whose body is breaking down going on age 35. Right tackle Gosder Cherilus is a below-average starter in a contract year. It's past time to find new blood.

Running back: It's a pain in the neck that this remains a problem area after the Lions used first- and second-round picks on Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure. But it is. Detroit's top three backs, Kevin Smith included, have major health concerns, and Leshoure is an off-field disaster.

Green Bay Packers

Outside linebacker:Clay Matthews' 2011 production slipped because opponents zeroed in on stopping him. Often double teamed by blockers, Matthews posted career lows in tackles (50) and sacks (6). The Packers need a better rusher opposite him to distract offensive attention.

Running back: Green Bay could add a new dimension to its offense with an explosive youngster like David Wilson or Lamar Miller in the second round. James Starks is a versatile big back, but plays at a pedestrian speed. The Packers have made no attempt to keep free agent Ryan Grant.

Minnesota Vikings

Offensive tackle: The Vikes trotted out perhaps the league's poorest blind-side protection last season, and Christian Ponder unsurprisingly got happy feet late in the year. Minnesota should have to be blown away with a trade offer to pass up the opportunity to select USC's Matt Kalil.

Wide receiver:Percy Harvin is a playmaker in the slot, but Minnesota lacks perimeter field stretchers capable of opening up the middle of the field. Devin Aromashodu and Michael Jenkins are not answers. The Vikings are lucky that receiver is the deepest position in this class.

Defensive back: Cornerback and safety are both weaknesses in Minnesota's defense. Jamarca Sanford and Mistral Raymond, each special teamers at their finest, would be the Vikings' starting safeties if the season began today. At corner, Antoine Winfield is 35 with recurring neck injuries. Chris Cook is a major off-field risk, and Asher Allen is far from an NFL starter.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Offensive line: Atlanta still hasn't recovered from reaching for Sam Baker in the first round of the 2008 draft. He hasn't panned out at left tackle, and right guard was another trouble spot all last season. The Falcons are aware of their offensive line deficiencies. Although neither player was signed, the team scheduled free agent visits with Demetress Bell and Marcus McNeill.

Defensive end: The Falcons are bringing back all of the same ends that combined to rank 22nd in the league in sacks. Atlanta must get more pressure off the edge. Perhaps another year in the system will kickstart left end Ray Edwards, but he should face competition for his job.

Running back: Tailback is rarely thought of as a weakness in Atlanta based on Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers' big-name appeal. Rodgers is just a scatback, though, and Turner's on-field performance is eroding rapidly at age 30. He limits the offense with an inability to play on passing downs. Atlanta has shown interest in Virginia Tech's David Wilson as a second-round possibility.

Defensive end:Charles Johnson has one end spot on lockdown, but the Panthers can't count on Greg Hardy's mental fragility, and there is little to no depth behind them. North Carolina's Quinton Coples and South Carolina's Melvin Ingram would both be appealing options with the No. 9 pick.

Defensive tackle: The Panthers spent two third-round picks on defensive tackles last year, but Terrell McClain and Sione Fua did little to suggest they're long-term answers at the position. Coples or Ingram could help here because they rush from the interior on passing downs.

New Orleans Saints

Defensive end: Outgoing defensive boss Gregg Williams blitzed more than any coach in the league last season, but it resulted in only 37 sacks in 18 games, including the playoffs. The Saints need a pressure player to complement and spell weak-side defensive end Will Smith.

Center:Brian De La Puente proved an upgrade after Olin Kreutz's in-season retirement a year ago, but that wasn't saying much. De La Puente is undersized, lacks pop as a run blocker, and would ideally be a backup. The Saints will likely use a late-round pick on a developmental center.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Running back:LeGarrette Blount's inability to play in passing situations held the Bucs' offense hostage for much of last season, and they need a more versatile back to push Blount into a situational early-down thumper role. Trent Richardson would be the ideal pick at No. 5 overall.

Defensive tackle: The Bucs are unable to stop the run, and Greg Schiano will take that more seriously than former coach Raheem Morris. Gerald McCoy is solidly a part of Schiano's long-term plans, but Brian Price and Roy Miller should consider themselves on notice.

Linebacker: Corner and safety are also positions that could use upgrades in Tampa, but a sure-tackling linebacker is needed to replace old weak-side starter Geno Hayes, who remains unsigned. Nebraska's Lavonte David could fix that problem at the price of a second-round pick.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

Offensive line:Kevin Kolb's skittish pocket presence mixes poorly with a line that can't protect him. The Cards think highly of Stanford right guard David DeCastro. If DeCastro goes off the board before the 13th pick, versatile Cordy Glenn of Georgia would be a fine fallback target.

Wide receiver:Larry Fitzgerald is a true No. 1 and Early Doucet has a physical presence in the slot, but Arizona lacks an outside receiver capable of capitalizing on man coverage. Recent buzz has the Cardinals perhaps considering Notre Dame's Michael Floyd if he makes it to No. 13.

Outside linebacker:O'Brien Schofield, 25, and Sam Acho, 23, are promising young pass rushers, but the Cardinals have practice-squad types behind them on the depth chart. Arizona will almost certainly add talent at outside 'backer, even if it's in the middle to later rounds of the draft.

San Francisco 49ers

Guard:Chilo Rachal began last year as the Niners' starting right guard, but was quickly benched for Adam Snyder. Snyder is gone to the division-rival Cardinals, and Rachal remains unsigned in free agency. San Francisco runs a power-blocking scheme and is in the market for a mauler.

Wide receiver: The receiver depth chart is thick for 2012, but Ted Ginn and Randy Moss are working on one-year deals. Mario Manningham and Michael Crabtree are signed only through the following season. If he sees good draft-day value at wideout, GM Trent Baalke will pounce.

Defensive line: The 49ers return all three D-Line starters, but nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga and right end Justin Smith are both on the wrong side of 30. Improved up-front depth couldn't hurt a team that prides itself on winning in the trenches. San Francisco figures to address it in the late rounds.

Seattle Seahawks

Linebacker: The Seahawks wouldn't overpay to retain middle linebacker David Hawthorne. Barrett Ruud is no more than a short-term fix, and a weak one at that. With Leroy Hill still toiling in free agency, Seattle has room to add two starting linebackers through the draft.

Defensive end: Seattle's only legit edge rusher is Chris Clemons, and he's entering a contract year at age 31. Left end Red Bryant comes off the field on most passing downs. It would be nice for the Seahawks to be able to replace him in those situations with a pressure-causing rusher.

Cornerback:Brandon Browner flashed big-play ability after the Seahawks signed him away from the CFL, but he's prone to blown coverages and was the NFC's most penalized cornerback. He may not be long for a starting job. Don't be shocked if Seattle drafts a corner with the 12th pick.

St. Louis Rams

Wide receiver: The Rams haven't had a mainstay receiver with downfield separation skills since Torry Holt's knees gave out following the 2008 season. St. Louis is also pursuing run-after-catch ability in its next go-to target. Most mock drafts have them selecting Justin Blackmon at No. 6.

Offensive line: Right tackle Jason Smith has been a colossal bust as the former second pick in the draft, and left tackle Rodger Saffold is coming off a miserable season. Left guard is wide open. The Rams have five picks in the top 100. Expect two to be used on offensive linemen.

Linebacker: The Rams have James Laurinaitis in the middle, and then a cast of no-names on the outside. Jo-Lonn Dunbar signed a small deal in free agency, but is better suited as a special teamer. On a bad Rams roster, outside corner and safety help would additionally be welcomed.